Phil Gould expressed his surprise at Manly’s performance in their recent clash with the Raiders, where they fell short in a 28-12 defeat, failing to apply the necessary pressure to secure a place in the top eight. Despite Manly having slightly more possession and completing passes nearly on par with the Raiders, they struggled to convert their opportunities into points.
A victory would have been pivotal for Manly as it could have increased the pressure on the eighth-placed Dolphins. However, their points difference remains a significant challenge compared to the Sea Eagles.
During his analysis on Nine’s Friday Night Golden Point, Gould questioned Manly’s tactics, stating it was surprising given the game’s importance and the experience of their playmakers. He noted that Manly seemed unprepared for the Raiders’ style, repeatedly attempting to exploit space out wide, only to fall into a trap. He remarked, “Canberra deliberately shows you space because they are so quick to cover it. Manly kept running out of room near the sidelines, blinded by the illusion of space.” He indicated that they would likely regret their strategy, which appeared to overlook the Raiders’ defensive capabilities.
Following the match, Manly’s coach, Anthony Seibold, expressed pride in his team’s effort but shared disappointment with the outcome. Captain Daly Cherry-Evans attributed their attacking woes to execution issues, acknowledging the effort was there but emphasising that effort alone isn’t enough to succeed in the NRL. He called for both sustained effort and refinement in their approach in the upcoming matches.